Kinsale Mead Co

Have you ever been to #kinsale, a beautiful part of #ireland where the River Bandon meets the wild Atlantic Ocean? If you plan on going or if you have already been, Kinsale Mead Co. is a spot you have to check out. It is not just any booze-making place; in fact, it is Ireland's very first meadery that opened two hundred years ago! It was started in 2016 by a husband and wife pair, Kate and Denis Dempsey, who are well known for their distinctive flavours. The spot aims to modernise age-old beverages, so brace yourself for a sip of delightful history.

Mead: The Original Party Drink

Long before wine snobs were swirling glasses or craft beer was even a twinkle in a hipster's eye, there was #mead. Seriously, this stuff is ancient. We're talking 'Nectar of the Gods', ancient, made from the beautifully simple mix of honey, water, and yeast. There's evidence that folks in China were glugging it down around 7000 BCE, and it was a hit across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

In old Ireland, they called it 'mid', and it was a massive deal. Think of kings, chieftains, and epic feasts. Legend has it that the Hill of Tara, where the High Kings of Ireland used to hang out, had a special mead hall called the 'Tech Mid Chuarda'—basically "the house where the mead goes round." Imagine that! Mead wasn't just for getting tipsy; it was part of celebrations, myths, and good old Irish hospitality, often jazzed up with local goodies like hazelnuts. The old Brehon Laws even had rules for bees and honey, they were that important! But somehow, over time, commercial mead-making in Ireland just fizzled out. Until Kate and Denis decided it was time for a comeback.

A "What If?" Moment on a Famous Hill

So, how did Kinsale Mead Co. happen? Picture this: It's August 2016. Kate and Denis, who were tech-heads in their previous lives (Kate in physics, Denis in engineering), are taking a walk on the Hill of Tara. They find out they're standing right where that massive mead hall used to be. Lightbulb moment. They realised this amazing piece of Irish heritage was pretty much missing from the modern drinks scene. And just like that, an idea was born. This wasn't just a whim, though. They'd both enjoyed mead while working in the US and were looking for a new adventure. The Hill of Tara visit just sealed the deal. By that same August, they'd registered the business.

Then came the homework. They dug into old books for ancient recipes and zipped around Europe and the US, checking out other meaderies. Denis hit the books too, taking a mead-making course at UC Davis in California, while Kate became a certified mead judge. Their kitchen turned into a lab, bubbling with experimental batches as they hunted for the perfect combinations. Their goal? To make top-notch Irish meads that were light, tasty, and a bit different, all while giving a nod to the past. And Kinsale, with its foodie vibe and seafaring history, felt like the perfect spot to set up shop. They even found a place on Barrack Lane, spookily close to where the Battle of Kinsale went down in 1601. 

What's Pouring? A Peek at the Kinsale Mead Menu

Kinsale Mead Co. has whipped up a fantastic range of meads, each with its personality. There's something for everyone:

• Atlantic Dry Mead (12% ABV): This is your go-to traditional mead, made with that lovely Spanish orange blossom honey. It's off-dry, crisp, and buzzing with citrus and floral notes. Perfect with seafood or just chilled. Fancy an upgrade? The Atlantic Dry Mead—Sauternes Barrel Aged gets an extra 12 months in French oak Sauternes wine casks, adding lovely layers of almond and vanilla. Smooth!
• Wild Red Mead (12% ABV): A fruity explosion! Tart Irish blackcurrants and sweet dark cherries tango with raw honey. It's got a gorgeous colour and a smooth, rich taste. Try it with a game or chocolate. And yes, there's a Wild Red Mead—Merlot Barrel Aged version too, for extra oomph from the French oak.
• Hazy Summer Mead (11% ABV): This one's like sunshine in a bottle. A light, fruity mix of six summer berries and honey. It's refreshing and perfect for a sunny day or as a starter drink.
• Irish Wildflower Mead (11% ABV): This is a bit special. Made only with 100% Irish summer wildflower honey, it's a true taste of the local countryside—delicate, semi-sweet, and wonderfully floral. Want it with a whiskey whisper? The Wildflower Irish Mead aged in a Whiskey Cask from Midleton Distillery is a dream.
• Cool Casks & Clever Creations: They're always playing around with barrels. Alongside the Sauternes and Merlot cask editions, they've done a Wild Forest Mead aged in Whiskey Casks and dabbled with things like White Port barrels. It just shows how mead can get even more interesting with a bit of time in the right wood.

Come On Over: The Full Mead Experience

A trip to Kinsale Mead Co. isn't just a quick tasting; it's a proper dive into the world of mead. Kate, Denis, and their team love to share what they do. On a tour, you'll:

• Hear all the cool stories and myths about mead, especially its Irish roots.
• Get the lowdown on their "Bee to Bottle" journey—from happy bees to happy sipping.
• Try different raw honeys—a sweet (and sticky!) part of the fun.
• See where the mead-making magic happens.
• And, of course, taste their award-winning meads in their cool oak bar, maybe even with Kate or Denis leading the way. People rave about the tours, saying they're fun, fascinating, and a great way to learn something new. They run pretty much all week, but it's a good idea to book.

A Sip of History, A Taste of Today

Kinsale Mead Co. hasn't just brought an old drink back from the dead; they've given it a fresh, exciting new life with a real Irish heart. They've taken those old tales of mead-filled halls and turned them into something you can taste today. So, whether you're a mead aficionado or just curious, checking out Kinsale Mead Co. is a must. It's a chance to sip on stories, taste a reborn legend, and enjoy a golden drink that's as delightful on the tongue as it is warming to the soul. It's a little bit of history, with a very tasty future.